Many people manage kits for friends and family members, or use their results for family research. When the test taker (or prospective test taker) passes away, it can present many challenges to accessing the kit and ordering additional testing.
My relative has agreed to test, but they will be passing away soon. What is the fastest way to get a kit for them?
If the test is time-sensitive, we recommend contacting customer service to have a kit sent to you via expedited or overnight shipping. If you are not able to get a FamilyTreeDNA kit shipped to you in time, we recommend purchasing a HomeDNA or Identigene paternity testing kit from the pharmacy to collect samples and then contacting customer service as soon as possible to get approval and to order testing. Due to differences in extraction processes, we are unable to accept certain types of mediums such as cotton tipped swabs or guaze. If you attempt to collect a sample with a non-FamilyTreeDNA collection kit, it is important not to place the sample in plastic, as this promotes bacterial growth. It is best to place the swab on a dry paper towel to allow it to dry completely and then place the swab in a paper envelope.
My relative just passed away. Am I still able to collect a sample from them?
Yes, we do accept post-mortem swabs. In most cases, it is possible to ask the mortician or coroner to collect the sample on your behalf. We cannot guarantee results from post-mortem swabs.
Embalming and cremation both negatively affect sample quality, and we are unable to accept samples collected after either has been performed. We recommend contacting customer service for an expedited collection kit or alternative collection options.
We also accept HomeDNA or Identigene brand paternity testing kits . These can be purchased from your local pharmacy and incur additional fees for extraction. If you choose to use this method, please contact customer service as soon as possible to get approval and to order testing. Due to differences in extraction processes, we are unable to accept certain types of mediums such as cotton tipped swabs or guaze. If you attempt to collect a sample with a non-FamilyTreeDNA collection kit, it is important not to place the sample in plastic, as this promotes bacterial growth. It is best to place the swab on a dry paper towel to allow it to dry completely and then place the swab in a paper envelope.
Am I able to access my relative's DNA results after they have passed away?
As long as you have the kit number and password, you can access the results at your convenience. If your email address is listed as the primary email on the account, you can request a password reset email at any time if you have trouble signing in.
We advise everyone to fill out the Beneficiary Information Tab of their account settings with their next of kin or intended future kit manager. You may also select a group project as the beneficiary. Designating a beneficiary allows customer service to discuss the kit with that person and assist them in taking over the kit after the tester or original kit manager passes away.
If you are listed as a beneficiary, in order to access the kit you must provide proof of death in the form of a Death Certificate or an unambiguous obituary.
My relative has passed away and they did not add beneficiary information. I cannot access the email on the account. How can I access the kit?
If there is no Beneficiary or if the Beneficiary is also deceased, additional documentation is needed to grant access to the kit:
- Proof of death - Death Certificate or an unambiguous obituary.
- Legal documentation listing the Executor of the Estate, or Personal Representative if there was no Probate.
- If the person requesting access is not the Executor/Personal Representative, we need written authorization from the Executor/Personal Representative that they wish to turn over the account to this person. We can then grant access to them if they have also provided the required documentation listed above.
Do you have any remaining DNA sample in storage for my deceased test taker?
The amount of DNA collected from each swab can vary widely, and the number of stored samples can vary depending on how many were submitted and whether a sample failed during previous testing. For these reasons, we recommend contacting customer service to check if any DNA samples remain before proceeding with the purchase. We are unable to determine the viability of a sample prior to processing the test. We also recommend marking the test taker as deceased on the Contact Information Tab of the kit's Account Setting as this alerts the lab that no new samples can be obtained from the original DNA donor.
Do you accept DNA samples other than a cheek swab?
We cannot accept forensic samples such as hair, fingernails, teeth, toothbrushes, razors, or sweat or blood-stained clothing. In some cases, we can accept a blood card instead of a buccal swab. This will incur a $250 non-refundable extraction fee for each separate test, as special procedures are required. For more information on blood cards, please contact customer service.